Volunteer Coach Sentenced For SnapChat Sex Crime

NYACK, NY — The volunteer coach who police said coerced a boy into sexual activity will serve 13 years in prison on federal charges. Marcus Stroud, 20, of Nyack, pleaded guilty in June to receipt of files containing sexually explicit images of a minor.

“Marcus Stroud’s crime is the nightmare of every parent," said Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in an announcement. "Stroud used social media platforms to prey upon and exploit a teenage boy for his own sexual gratification. As today’s sentencing underscores, we will continue to use every tool available to law enforcement to prosecute and punish those who sexually exploit children.”

Police said Stroud had become acquainted with the victim through a wrestling program. Stroud had been involved in programs in Rockland, Westchester and Bergen counties serving as a volunteer coach.
Stroud lured the victim to engage in sexual acts through the use of Snapchat and other social media outlets, police said.

The victim, a boy under 14, had exchanged social media addresses with Stroud at a wrestling match in December 2015.

Soon afterward, the victim was contacted by a SnapChat account, sent naked pictures of a woman and asked to send nude photos of himself back. He did. Then the user of that account threatened to publish them on the internet unless he performed a sex act and recorded it.

Prosecutors said Stroud then contacted the victim, said he had seen photos of him on the internet, and offered to help him eliminate the threat. Stroud then suggested that the victim perform the sex act on him and send it to the supposed blackmailer, alleging that he could then trace and delete the photos and video. After almost two months of pressure, the victim gave in -- and then was contacted by another SnapChat account asking for another video. Both SnapChat accounts were connected to Stroud, prosecutors said.

Stroud was arrested Feb. 22, 2016 after the victim's parents reported the issue to police.

"There is no level of depravity that can't find an outlet online or on digital devices in our society these days," said Diego Rodriguez, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said at the time that federal charges were filed. "This case illustrates just how easy it is allegedly to manipulate and control children who are simply too naïve of the world around them."

In sentencing Stroud, United States District Judge Cathy Seibel underscored the “predatory” nature of the offense. In addition to the prison term, Stroud was sentenced to 15 years of supervised release.

Berman praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Clarkstown Police Department, and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office in connection with the investigation.

SEE:

• Feds Charge Volunteer Coach with Sex Crime
  
• Child Porn Charge for Sports Volunteer Arrested for Sex Abuse
  
• Cops: Boy Lured into Sex with Nyack Teen through Wrestling